“But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house,“ Mark 6:4.

We have all grown up in a town, small village, or a city where many knew us when we were much younger.

These people formed opinions and thoughts of us because of their interactions with us at that tender age.

They knew that child that they went to school with and saw from afar. They knew his or her siblings and heard the stories when they were younger.

And now after many long years, perhaps you have had many experiences that point to a high calling and those who once knew you or thought they knew you, now wonder why you aren’t the person that they had formed their opinions of.

You see, they somehow missed the long years of how God had been forming his character and spirit within the man or woman that they had once known.

Now they shake their heads in wonder thinking that surely this person has either gone off the deep end or they are deluded by something strange.

Is it any wonder that even our LORD faced the same types of things when they heard of His miracles and the things that He had said throughout the countryside?

They had known him as the younger carpenter’s son in the small town of Nazareth. And then when they had seen him teaching in the temple at the tender age of twelve, their heads had surely begun to spin because they knew that He hadn’t studied with the Pharisees or the Rabbi.

Where could He possibly have received this wisdom from above?

If the Father has called you to the ministry of a prophet or apostle, expect that those who knew you when you were younger, to dismiss this, because they’ve already formed their opinions and thoughts years ago.

If this was true of our LORD then it is surely true of you.

But don’t lose heart dear one, for the intimate relationship that you now have with the Father, will carry you through all of the storms and set-backs in this life.

You can be assured that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion.

Don’t seek the praise or approval of man for it will only lead you into a trap. Don’t allow intimidation or fear to prevent you from stepping out of the boat.

The ocean waves and sky above may look dark, but the face of the Savior will strengthen and guide you to walk the walk that only you can take.

One is not to glory in their calling for it is not a thing that would elevate any one man or woman, no matter what they are called to do or say.

The road will be paved with many set-backs and suffering, for this must happen in order to form the very character of Christ within you.

You will at times feel that your entire world has been set upside down, and the very foundations of what you once could trust in and say was your own, may well be taken away from you.

Everything that can be shaken will be shaken. Homes and families may well be left behind; your earthly job can end and finances may be in short supply.

But you can count on Him who called you. He will lead you to higher places in His Spirit where only the eagles fly.

There His voice will call and direct you to say what you must say, to a lost and wayward generation.

 

Selah,
~ Stephen Hanson

---

Stephen Hanson of In His Truth Ministries came to the LORD is a special way in 1975 and has prophesied regularly since. In these end-time birthing pangs we are reminded that judgment must first begin with the household of God. Will we be prepared and ready?

Back to Top